A fireplace can add warmth and comfort to your home, keeping your family cozy on chilly nights. If you're considering adding one to your home, a gas fireplace provides a convenient alternative to its traditional wood-burning counterpart. Here are answers to some common questions to help you decide whether a gas model is right for your home. 

A Guide to Gas Fireplaces

How do they work?

These fireplaces rely on gas logs to provide your home with heat. Turning on the fireplace ignites the logs, causing them to produce traditional fireplace-like flames that are initially blue and turn yellow as the products burn. No particles or fumes enter your home due to clean-burning fuel, making a gas fireplace a safe heat source. Additionally, because these fireplaces typically come with glass screens, they are safer for children and pets. 

How do vented and unvented gas models differ?

Vented gas fireplaces work similarly to traditional fireplaces, as their logs produce carbon dioxide that must exit your home through a flue or chimney. Homeowners with existing wood-burning fireplaces often choose vented gas options for this reason. If you do not have a chimney, a vent-free fireplace is typically a safer, more effective option. Ventless logs burn 100% of their fuel, which eliminates carbon dioxide risks and allows your home to retain more heat. 

Can I burn wood and newspaper in my fireplace? 

Refrain from burning anything except your vented or ventless logs in your gas installation, as other materials can pose a fire hazard. Anything that catches fire, such as paper or wood, will start smoking and send toxic fumes into your home. If the fireplace were to overheat, it could break the protective glass and cause the blaze to spread. 

Where can I have the fireplace installed?

Unlike wood-burning fireplaces that require chimneys, gas models can be installed anywhere in your home. They come in several varieties, including freestanding wood and pellet stove options, and wall inserts, such as a fireplace in the wall connecting your kitchen and living room that provides heat on both sides. Since the models are available in a range of sizes and styles, you can even add multiple units to your home if you wish. 

If you're ready to add a gas fireplace to your home, contact Abbey Road Chimney Sweeps. Having served residents of Dayton, OH, since 1982, this locally owned and family-operated business provides reliable fireplace cleaning and repair services with the help of well-trained team members. Call (937) 833-0505 today to make an appointment, or visit the website for a service overview.